Impact of National Drug Pricing Policy 2018 on access to medicines in Lahore division, Pakistan: a pre-post survey study using WHO/HAI methodology.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the impact of new National Drug Pricing Policy (NDPP) 2018 on access to medicines in terms of prices, availability and affordability.

Design

Two cross-sectional surveys were undertaken before and after the launch of NDPP 2018, using a modified WHO/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology.

Setting

Four districts of Lahore division, Pakistan.

Participants

16 public sector hospitals and 16 private sector retail pharmacies.

Measures

The pre and post survey data on prices and availability of lowest price generics (LPGs) and originator brands (OBs) of 50 medicines were obtained by visiting the same public and private sector health facilities (n=32). Out of 50, 46 surveyed medicines were from the National Essential Medicines List.

SUBMITTER: Saeed A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7545625 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature